Diva Cup Pros and Cons: A Good Pick for You?

Diva Cup: Only the Highest Quality Standards

The Diva Cupis made by a Canadian company of the highest quality medical grade silicone and this is the first period cup that many people end up buying. The name “Diva Cup” has now become synonymous with “menstrual cup” in the same way that Kleenex now stands for tissues.

It’s the period cup to which all others are compared in terms of fit, stiffness, sizing, etc. They’re truly a pioneering company that advocates strongly for women’s health and it’s a company that you can feel good about buying from.

The Diva Cup is often the first menstrual cup that people end up trying and many stick with it for the rest of their lives! It’s comfortable, easy to insert and remove, and made from the highest quality medical grade silicone, according to the strictest manufacturing standards. It’s a product that you can truly feel safe putting inside of your body.

Sounds like the sanitary cup for you? It likely is! Check out the Diva Cup for yourself on Amazon today and see all the excellent reviews from hundreds of satisfied customers:

Two Sizes of Diva Cups

There are two sizes of this popular period cup:

Size One which is the smaller size and for those under thirty who’ve never given birth vaginally. 41 mm diameter, 70 mm length.

Size Two is for people who’ve given birth, and also for those over the age of 30. 45 mm diameter, 70 mm length.

Both the small and the large Diva-Cups have capacities of 30ml, which is on the larger end and it should last you overnight, even on your days with the heaviest flow. Of course, you could also pair your Diva Cup with something like a cloth menstrual pad for added protection during heavy flow days or nights.

The diameters and lengths of both the small and large Diva Cups are average in the menstrual cup world. You can find larger and smaller ones for teens/very large people, etc., but the Diva Cup should work well for most people. If you have a low cervix, the Diva Cup might not work for you and you’d do well to consider another cup.

Why is there Only 1 Colour of Diva Cup?

You might notice that there is only one colour option of Diva Cup, which isn’t actually a colour! It’s natural, un-pigmented silicone. Here’s what the Diva Cup company has to say about this.

The skin in the vaginal canal is sensitive and shouldn’t unnecessarily be exposed to dyes and chemicals. Adding colour pigment particles to the silicone creates additional risks that the particles, or other chemicals may not bind properly and could leach into the body.

Back to us: sure, it’s not “fun” to only have one colour choice, but we appreciate that the Diva Cup company takes safety seriously and doesn’t want to add extra risks to their product.

What People are Saying on Amazon about this Period Cup:

The DivaCup has a 4.5/5 star rating on Amazon and people seem to love it, saying things like:

“I love my Diva Cup. I’ve never using pads or tampons again! It was surprisingly easy to insert and remove, despite being super nervous about it.”

“Five stars! I actually wish I could give it more. That’s how much I love this product. My only regret is not knowing about the DivaCup sooner in my life. All those wasted years with pads and tampons.”

“Divacups and other menstrual cups have the potential to change the world. I want to spread the word about this thing to everybody I know!”

You can buy the Diva-Cup on Amazon today:

Diva Cup Pros:

1.Easily available on Amazon because it’s the most popular menstrual cup in the world.

2.It’s made from medical grade silicone and it’s clear, which means that it has fewer chemicals than the coloured ones. Also, the company assures the highest production standards and it’s approved by the FDA and Health Canada.

3.An excellent resource booklet to help you with insertion and removal and to answer your FAQs about this product.

4.A stylish bag to store your period cup in between cycles.

5. A product you can feel good about buying! The company that produces Diva Cups is an excellent one that advocates for women’s health.

6. Most people find that it fits well and doesn’t leak, after a few cycles of practice getting the hang of inserting it correctly. See:Menstrual Cup Leaking Help.

7. It’s the cup to which all others are compared. If the Diva Cup doesn’t work for you, you’ll have a wealth of resources at your disposal to help you choose another one that will work.

DivaCup Cons:

2.Even size 1 (the pre-childbirth model) is too big for some smaller people. At 41 mm diameter, it’s certainly not one of the smallest cups out there. You could consider something like the Iris Cup or the Meluna Small.

3.They can be difficult to clean due to the writing and etching on it, as well as the holes which give greater suction. Some people recommend using an old toothbrush, or a toothpick at the end of your cycle to get all the little bits out. See: Deep Cleaning a Menstrual Cup.

5.The stem, at 70 mm is shorter than other brands, which can sometimes make it difficult to remove. If you find removal difficult with the Diva Cup, you might want to consider the Cleo Cup or theKeeper Cup.

6. It’s a little bit expensive than some of the other period cups. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, you can consider the Iris cup or the Lena Cup.

7. The colour isn’t that appealing to some because it will discolour after a few cycles. However, there is a benefit to this as well-no dyes used in the manufacturing process leads to a more “natural” product. After all, it doesn’t really matter what colour it is, as long as it is safe to use.

Can you Pee with a Diva Cup In?

A common question people have is whether or not they can pee with a Diva Cup (or other menstrual cup in). The short answer is yes, it is indeed possible to pee while wearing a Diva Cup.

A quick anatomy lesson. We have three holes: vagina, anus, and urethra. You insert a Diva Cup into your vagina, while you pee out of the urethra, and poop out of your anus. So in theory, there will be no interference between a menstrual cup, and either peeing or pooping.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many people also wonder, “Can I poop with a menstrual cup in?” The easy answer is yes!

However, some people find that a menstrual cup presses on, or pushes against their urethra. That’s why it can feel like it takes a looooooong time to pee when you’re wearing a menstrual cup. This can also cause some discomfort.

Know that you’re not alone. There are lots of other people who have this experience when peeing with a Diva Cup.

Sex with Diva Cup?

A common question that people have is about menstrual cups and sex. Can you have penetrative sex with a Diva Cup? The short answer is no! The company does not recommend this and neither do we. It would be very uncomfortable for you and your partner.

If you’re looking to have sex during your period, we recommend a couple of better options: The Soft Cup, or Sea Sponge Tampons.Both of these will be far more comfortable than trying to have sex with a Diva Cup, or other menstrual cups on the market today.

Instead SoftCup Review

My Diva Cup Leaks!

A problem that some people have with their DivaCup is that it leaks. This certainly isn’t a problem that is unique to Diva Cups. While a certain menstrual cup may work for some people, it won’t work for all people.

The reason for this isn’t that the period cup is bad, it’s just that people come in all different shapes and sizes. Of course no one single menstrual cup will work for every single person in the world!

If you’re having some problems with Diva Cup leaking, then you’ll need to check out this post: Menstrual Cup Leaking Help.There are lots of tips and tricks for inserting a menstrual cup to help you overcome this common problem.

Care and Cleaning of the Diva Cup

When compared to tampons or pads, a Diva Cup is a little bit expensive. It only makes sense to ensure that your Diva Cup lasts as long as possible. If you have to replace it too soon, you’ll lose out on one of the big advantages of menstrual cups—that they are way cheaper in the medium to long-term.

Although the Diva Cup company recommends replacing it every year, it actually can last far, far longer than that. Here’s how you can get the most life out of it:

Wash your hands with soap before inserting and removing your Diva Cup. This will prevent any foreign things from getting into your vaginal canal, which can lead to infections.

During your period, you can wash your Diva Cup with DivaWash, or a mild, water-based soap. Do this at least twice a day. You may have to do this more often if you have a heavier flow.

When you’re traveling, always use potable (drinkable) water to wash your cup with.

If you’re in a public bathroom, wipe your cup with toilet paper, and then wash thoroughly next time you remove it at home.

After your period, you can sterilize your Diva Cup by boiling it in a pot of water on the stove for 5 minutes. Be sure to not let the cup touch the sides of the pot because this will destroy it.

Or, you can check out the DivaWash, a top-quality menstrual cup cleanser on Amazon:

Can I get Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) from a Diva Cup?

A common question that people have is whether or not they can get Toxic Shock Syndrome(TSS) from a Diva Cup (or other menstrual cup). Are menstrual cups safer than tampons with regards to this?

Let’s look at the facts. To date, there has only been one reported case of Toxic Shock Syndrome being associated with menstrual cup usage. This is because the person cut themselves at the beginning of their period when inserting the cup.

Now let’s take a look at Toxic Shock Syndrome and tampons. There are thousands of reported cases each year from tampon use. Although it’s relatively rare, based on the number of people who use tampons, it is a concern.

Clearly, when you consider toxic shock syndrome, menstrual cups are a safer alternative to tampons.

Can I use a Diva Cup with an IUD?

The Diva Cup company, unfortunately doesn’t have any information on their website (at least that we could find) about using their cup with an IUD. Fortunately, there’s a lot of information out there from physicians, other menstrual cup companies and actual users.

We’ll share some of these tips with you about using your Diva Cup along with an IUD. Of course, be sure to consult with a physician if you plan to do this.

Make sure that your menstrual cup is the correct length. There should be some space between your cervix and the cup. At 70 mm in length, the Diva Cup is one of the longer cups, so if you have a short vaginal canal, it won’t work that well for you. Instead, consider a low-cervix menstrual cup.

Ask your doctor to trim the strings on your IUD as short as possible. This will reduce the risk of accidentally dislodging it.

Use extra caution when removing your cup. This can’t be stressed enough. You MUST break the suction seal before removing your Diva Cup. Do this by pushing in the edges of the cup with your fingers. Then remove it slowly and gently. DO NOT PULL IT OUT BY THE STEM. Only use the stem to pull the cup down until you can grasp the base.

Check your IUD strings throughout your period, and at the end to make sure the strings are still in the same position. See your doctor if they have moved.

Can I Wear the Diva Cup While Swimming or Playing Sports?

A common question that people have is whether or not they can use the Diva Cup while swimming, scuba diving, or playing sports. It’s an excellent question, and we’re happy to report that you most certainly can.

The Diva Cup actually makes an excellent choice for swimming and scuba diving because it’s completely contained inside your vaginal canal. There are no strings hanging out, with like tampons, and of course, you shouldn’t swim with a pad (disposable, or reusable) because they’ll absorb way too much fluid and get soggy.

If you play sports, you’ll probably love using the Diva Cup. At 30 ml in capacity, that’s 3x more than even a jumbo tampon with 10 ml capacity. This means that you won’t have to worry about dealing with your period so often. Just empty the cup before your match, and you should be good to go! No more running to the bathroom at half-time.

If you engage in long-distance sports like running, or cycling, it’s even more awesome. Or, you might do some long kayak, or hiking trips. In these cases, you’ll love not having to deal with the trash that comes along with tampons or pads. Simply empty your menstrual cup, reinsert it, and you’re good to go!

Isn’t the Diva Cup Kind of Expensive?

If you search on Amazon for “Diva Cup,” you’ll notice that there are pages and pages of results. The Diva Cup is one of the more expensive menstrual cups on the market, retailing for around $30 USD.

You may think that this is quite expensive! After all, most people only spend around $5 a month on tampons. However, think about it this way. You’ll be breaking even after only six months, and then it’s pure money in the bank! If you take care of your menstrual cup, it should last for 5+ years. That’s months and months of not spending more than you have to on menstrual care.

You also might want to know whether or not you should consider one of the cheap menstrual cups. We always recommend AGAINST the very cheap menstrual cups out of China.

These cheap menstrual cups have a lot of problems, but the main one is the materials that they’re made from. It’s flimsy silicone that’s not medical grade. The result is that they leak like crazy, and also degrade very quickly.

In reality, you’ll end up buying a top-quality cup later, so don’t waste your money on a cheap one for the first round.

The Diva Cup vs. the Others

If you want to see how the Diva Cup stacks up against the competition, check out these short articles:

The Takeaway on the Diva Period Cup:

Menstrual cup pros and cons-every single cup has them! The Diva Cup is not unique in that it does have both pros and cons as well. However, the cons have nothing to do with the quality of the product. It’s one of the highest quality menstrual cups in the world and there is absolutely nothing unsafe about using this product.

The negative reviews mostly seem to be about not fitting with certain body types (smaller people or those with a low cervix). So when you weigh up the Diva Cup pros and cons, it comes out a winner in the end for sure!

We give it our solid 5 star recommendation here at Reusable Menstrual Cups. It’s the cup that the author of most of the reviews on this website wore for years!